Ameican Eats: Tennessee. The Rendezvous
Memphis gets a bad rap, and much of it is honestly well-deserved. While there are parts of Memphis that are fun such as Beale Street, Sun Studio, and Graceland, there are huge swaths of Memphis that have seen better days. Memphis is one of the most dangerous cities in the country. It has a 25% poverty rate. It’s a town that needs a lot of help.
And yet, one of my favorite restaurants anywhere resides in Memphis. In an alley.
The Rendezvous has been a Memphis institution for 75 years. One of the oldest remaining barbecue joints in Memphis, it has been serving barbecue cooked in coal-fired smoker since 1948. It is a unique, flavorful, and delicious barbecue served in a restaurant that itself is unique and flavorful. Still located in a basement, the joint still looks a lot like it did back in 1948. Smoke from the barbecue fills the air. Memphis and Delta Blues are played throughout the restaurant. It is old school in the way that you know you are having an authentic experience.
The star of the show is, of course, the ribs. They are meaty. They are delicious. They have a unique blend of spices and sauces. They are fantastic and they are the best damn ribs that you will have anywhere in the country.
I understand the consternation that you might have when going to Memphis. They’re open for lunch, if that’s a major concern that you have. But if you are in Western Tennessee, Eastern Arkansas, or Northern Mississippi, it is worth going out of your way to drive to Memphis and get a rack at The Rendezvous. It is a taste and an experience that you will remember for a long, long time.